<< I was wondering if anyone
had any cool ideas for an exercise I could do using charcoal. Also does
anyone know a contemporary artist using this meium? >>

Jim Dine uses charcoal and other media in his mixed media drawings. There is
wonderful book of his plant drawings. How about mixed media with chaorcoal or
erased charcoal drawings (prepare smooth field of chaorcoal and "draw" by
erasing - finish by drawing back into the erased drawing).